you are not active. Whatever talent the Lord has given you, it must be
Christ to be heard where you are? Be ashamed of this, and remember what Christ says, Matt. 10:32, 33, "Whoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father — but whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." How many times have you been somewhat exact in your conversation when alone; but when in company, by the neglect of this duty, especially of rebuking, you have come away with loss and a troubled mind, because of your faint-heartedness this way. Amend in this, and make your converse more edifying, and take courage to reprove, exhort, etc. You know not what a seasonable admonition may do; the Lord may be pleased to back it with life and power.
Eighthly; Christ laid hold upon opportunities of public preaching when they offered, as is clear from the whole history of the gospel. He gave a pattern to ministers to be instant in season and out of season. O my soul, follow Christ in this; refuse not any occasion of preaching when God calls you to it. It is very unlike Christ's practice for preachers of the gospel to be lazy, and slight the opportunities of doing good to a people, when the Lord puts opportunities in their hand. For this end consider,
1. Besides Christ's example, that you are worth nothing in the world, in so far as you are lazy. Why do we serve, if we are not serviceable for God?
2. It may provoke God to take away your talent and give it to another, if you are not active. Whatever talent the Lord has given you, it must be employed in his service. He gave it to you not to hide it in a napkin. Remember what became of the unprofitable servant that hid his Lord's money.
3. You know not when your Master shall come. And blessed is that servant whom, when his Lord shall come, he shall find so doing. If Christ should come and find you idle, when he is calling you to work, how will you be able to look him in the face? They are well that die at Christ's work.